Upcoming Pendry Hotel Unveils First Food & Drink Concepts

As the opening of the much-anticipated Pendry San Diego draws closer in the Gaslamp, Eater has received fresh intel on the food and drink options that will be available at the property when it debuts later this fall. The premier location for the new Pendry Hotels luxury brand, by the well-respected Montage Hotels & Resorts, the property spans a block at Fifth Avenue and J Street will have 317 loft-style guest rooms across its 12-stories; Michael O’Donohue (formerly of W San Diego) is on board as general manager.

Of the three on-site restaurants planned, the first to be revealed is Lionfish, developed in partnership with Clique Hospitality, which has placed upscale dining concepts in high-profile properties from MGM Resorts International to the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas.

Photo:Arlene Ibarra

Leading the kitchen will be executive chef Jose "JoJo" Ruiz, Ironside Fish & Oyster's chef de cuisine and an Eater Young Guns 2015 semifinalist; the chef, who was positioned to relaunch Craft & Commerce with CH Projects, will leave the hospitality collective with its blessing at the end of July. Ruiz told Eater that he wants to help re-energize the downtown food scene with his menu for the dinner-only, two-level restaurant that will be centered around elevated coastal cuisine and seasonal small plates; expect an emphasis on sustainable seafood, including a large array of crudo plates and sushi, but the fresh catch will be balanced by plenty of meat dishes. 

Clique Hospitaliy will also manage Oxford Social Club, Pendry's nightlife venue, which will feature music and a serious cocktail program, as well as The Pool House, the hotel's rooftop pool lounge with its own bar, a modern open-air design and views of the Gaslamp. According to reports, the Pendry will also house a beer hall and market cafe.